Air operated target apparatus



Dw 1963 J. H. LEMELSON 3,115,343;

AIR OPERATED TARGET APPARATUS Filed April e. 1959 INVENTOR.

JEROME ZEMELSO/V United States Patent O 3,115,343 AIR OPERATED TARGETAPPARATUS Jerome H. Lernelson, 130x 452, Metnchen, NJ. Filed Apr. 6,1959, Ser. No. 804,282 8 Claims. (ill. 273101) This invention relates totarget apparatus and in particular to a target game employing one ormore floating targets.

In the construction of shooting ranges and the like, a stream of waterdirected vertically upwards has been employed as a means for floating alight plastic or cork ball near the top of said stream which is utilizedas a target at which a pellet or bullet may be fired, the object beingto cause said ball to fly off of the stream when disturbed by the shockwave of the bullet. The so-called Bernouli effect is utilized forcausing the ball to maintain a floating position on the liquid stream, acondition which is derived by the reduction in pressure in the movingstream and the resulting atmospheric pressure which forces the ballagainst the stream. These pressure forces when combined with the weightof the ball act to provide a state of oscillating equilibrium wherebysaid ball will bobble up and down on the stream but will not separatetherefrom unless disturbed by a greater force.

While such a liquid maintained target is applicable without diflicultyto large scale target ranges, it is not easily adapted for smallerranges or for use as a toy since it requires a pump, liquid reservoirand a relatively large space.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide afloating target apparatus which is relatively inexpensive to produce andoperate.

Another object is to provide new and improved target apparatus which mayutilize one or more targets which float on an air stream and hence doesnot require a liquid and liquid recirculating system.

Another object is to provide a new and improved target apparatus of thefloating target type in which, in addition to providing means forfloating a target on a vertically disposed air stream, means areprovided for imposing further movement to said target.

Another object is to provide a new and improved target apparatus inwhich a target will float in space and will describe a horizontal aswell as a vertical motion and is therefore movable through a pluralityof different paths Without physically touching a prime movement meanssuch that a very realistic target is derived having a wide range ofmotion.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features ofconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

The nature of the invention, as to its objects and advantages, the modeof its operation and the manner of its organization, may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, whichis a partial view of an end elevation of the target apparatus.

In the drawing, an air and electrically operated apparatus may beutilized either as a target floating means or as a game and amusementdevice. The apparatus illustrated may be made to both rotate andoscillate or move linearly w hereby one or more vertically flowingairstreams thereof may be made to travel a plurality of paths. As aresult, a light weight ball B made of cellular plastic or the like maybe floated on an air stream thereof and may be controlled in its generalmovement around a predetermined area, the bobbing up and down motionthereof providing a source of increased amusement and interest in thedevice and serving as a further motion variable from which many feats ofskill and games may be derived.

The apparatus shown consists of a housing 10 having side walls one ofwhich 11 is illustrated behind which a movable air ejection means ismounted. A bracket 20", secured to the bottom 12 of the housing, mountsan electric gear-motor 20 having a shaft 208 extending verticallyupward. Secured to the end of shaft 208 by means of a flange or bracket20F is a platform or bar 19 which mounts a pair of aligned linear slidebearings 19a and 1% on the upper face thereof. An elongated tubularmember 24 is adapted to be moved axially through the slide bearings andis movable along a fixed path relative to platform 19 by means of agear-motor 13 mounted on the other side of 19, the shaft 1-4 of whichhas a sprocket or gear-tooth drive Wheel 16 mounted thereon whichengages a linear spur gear 17 secured to or formed in the outer face ofduct 24. lf all or part of the cylindrical tubular member 24 is formedby molding a plastic material such as a polyamide or other durableplastic, then the teeth or spur portion 17, which is engaged by thedrive wheel 16, may be formed integral with the outer surface .of saidmember either projecting therefrom or indented into the wall of saidmember by molding thereon.

Coupling between either or both of the motors 13 and 18 which operatesthe blower or fan of the assembly 18 and the remote source .of power andcontrols therefor may be effected by a plurality of brush-slip ringcombinations. A plurality of electrical slip rings 32 are showninsulatedly mounted on the exterior of the cylindrical housing for motor20 which are connected to said remote controls and power supply by meansof a cable 32W containing plural electrical conductors each of whichextends to a respective slip ring of the group 32. The notation 18Wrefers to a wire pair having wires extending from the output terminalsof the motor r18 to respective of the brushes 31 which ride againstrespective of the slip rings and maintain electrical contact between theremote power supply and said motor. The brushes 31 are shown mounted onthe housing for motor '13 and may also extend from the platform 19. Asingle brushslip-ning combination may be provided if a ground circuit isestablished between the ground of the respective motor and the shaft 208which may be grounded or connected to the ground terminal of the powersupply.

In the single embodiment, the spur gear portion 17 is preferablyindented in the wall of the duct 24 so that it may pass thru the linearbearings without interference. The spur wheel 16 may also be replaced bya toothless rubber wheel or the like adapted to frictionally engage theouter surface of the tube 24 thereby eliminating the need for a spurgear or the like on 24. Secured to one end of 24 is a blower and drivemotor 18 which rides back and forth therewith. The motors 13 and 20 arepreferably controlled and powered from a remote position relative to theapparatus illustrated and are preferably variable in speed in accordancewith the setting of a manual control means. If speed and directionalcontrols are provided for said motors, it is noted that any point orlength of the tube 24 may be made to travel any path in a horizontalplane in the area in which it may move and said path will be a functionof the degree and direction(s) each of said motor shafts is rotated aswell as the rotational speed thereof. Various games of skill may bederived from the apparatus including the controlled movement of thefloating ball or balls thru, over, under or around obstacles to obtainan objective or the landing of the ball on fixed or movable surfaceswhich may be secured to or movable relative the housing It).

A number of variations or changes may be provided in the apparatus toenhance its versatility and skill value. The housing 10 may be partly orcompletely covered with a top 118 which may consist of a sheet memberwith either holes or slots in it. A suitable cover for the housing is ascreen material having openings which will not distort the air-streamgenerated at the upwardly facing orifice or nozzle 25 in 24-. The speedof the motor driving the ducted or centrifugal fan or pump in unit 18may also be manually adjustable by the operator of the apparatus of thedrawing so that the general height at which the ball B floats becomesanother variable thereby further increasing the dimension in which thegame may be played. The notations 29W, 18W and 20W refer to electricalcontrol wires extending to and from the respective servos from a remotecontrol panel or section of the housing 20.

Also illustrated in the drawing are a number of devices andmodifications to the floating target B for enhancing the play value ofthe game apparatus and providing means on which a variety of differentskill feats and games may be developed. It is noted that themodifications to the floating sphere and devices to be described arealso applicable to any apparatus which is adapted to provide anairstream for supporting one or more light weight balls thereon.

The target B is shown with a plurality of elongated filaments or wiresB-l, B2, B-S extending downward therefrom. These wires may be made ofrigid plastic or metal and are preferably so light in weight that theydo not substantially reduce the ability of the sphere B to float on saidair stream. The wires preferably extend from the sphere B in a conicaland symmetrical array so that they will assume essentially the attitudeillustrated as the ball floats on the stream. The ends of the wires maybe similarly shaped with hook portions such as B'1 at the end of 13-1 oreye portions such as B2 at the end of B2 or may each have a differentshape of any suitable design. In addition to serving as means forstabilizing the target ball B and to increase the target area which maybe hit by a flying missile or pellet fired at the target, the wires mayserve to provide a plurality of functions associated with a movabletarget of this type. For example, a game may be played in which theobject is to manipulate the target ball B by controlled operation of theillustrated servo motors or by other means such as manual manipulationof the arm 24 or the blower 18, whereby to cause one of the wire arms tohook onto or be held by an object or surface of a device mounted off thebase or held by a player. To the right is shown a wire having an eyehook formed at its end with one of the hook-ends of a wire B3 of asphere similar to B caught on and held by the eye 22"a of member 22".This could be effected by varying the speed of the motor 18' drivingblower 18 and manipulating the blower or pipe 24 to cause the hook tobecome engaged in the eye of 22". If the eye 22"(1 extends with its axisoblique or parallel to the horizontal as illustrated the hooked end ofthe ball wires may be eliminated since the object of the game may be tolower said ball with the end of a wire extending thru the eye 22"a untilit becomes engaged and held thereby.

Also shown in the drawing is a second target for the ball B whichconsists of a bent piece of wire of small diameter thru or around whicha spherical target may be manipulated as described to attain anobjective. The Wire 22 is provided with a first eye portion 22a thruwhich the ball B may be manipulated as described. The other end 22' ofthe form 22 is shown with an end portion 22a formed in a loop or eye onwhich it may be desired to alight or land the ball B by manipulation ofthe air stream ejector. The thin wire comprising said target form offerslittle resistance to the generated airstream and will not disrupt itsflow and prevent the floating of the ball. The wire may also be replacedby a thin sheet member, frame or stand of sheet material which extendsvertically upward in the direction of the airstream having one or moreholes therethrough through which the ball may be manipulated asdescribed and one or more surface portions thereof adapted to serve asobjectives on which to alight or land the ball.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection witha preferred embodiment thereof. Many variations and modifications of theprinciples of my invention within the scope of the description hereinare obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specificdisclosure herein but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Target apparatus comprising in combination:

(a) a target base including means for supporting said base on a surface,

(b) a fluid pressurizing system including means for guiding the fluidthereof through a duct and propelling it in a vertical direction upwardfrom said base as a stream of air of sufficient velocity to support atarget thereon in floating equilibrium,

(0) and automatically operating means for causing said vertical streamof fluid to be automatically rotated relative to said base whereby atarget floated thereon will become retained in said stream horizontallydisplaced relative to said base and means for moving said base as saidair stream is rotated relative thereto to define an irregular path ofmovement of said air stream and said target relative to said surface.

2. Target apparatus comprising in combination:

(a) a first base member including means for movably supporting a fluidpressurizing means thereon,

(b) said fluid pressurizing means including an ejector adapted toprovide a stream of said fluid in a generally upward direction whenoperative,

(c) said fluid pressurizing means being mounted on a second base whichis movable along a guide means in a fixed linear path,

(:1) a reversible drive means adapted when operative to move saidejector back and forth along a linear path,

(e) the fluid pressurizing means adapted to provide a fluid stream ofsufficient velocity and characteristic such that a light weight targetmay be suspended thereon in a state of dynamic equilibrium and will bemaintained thereon as said stream moves back and forth with the movementof said ejector.

3. Target apparatus comprising in combination:

(a) a first base member including a support for a vertically extendingshaft,

(b) a second base member supported by said shaft and adapted to rotateabout the axis of said shaft,

(0) means for rotating said second base member relative to said firstbase member,

(d) a third base member lineally movable on said second base member,

(e) said third base member including a fluid ejection means and meansfor pressurizing said ejection means to provide a vertical stream offluid which moves with the movement of said third base member,

(1) the fluid pressurizing means adapted to provide a stream of fluid ofsuflicient velocity to float a light weight target thereon and tomaintain said target in its floating condition regardless of themovement of said third base member.

4. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 3, said members being mountedin a housing which is covered with a screen member having openingstherein of such shape that the characteristic of the stream ejectedupward therefrom is not substantially altered to prevent the movementand support of said target thereon, said apparatus including anobjective means for said target against which said target may come torest and be held thereby if proper manipulation of said members iseffected to control the movement of said target.

5. Game apparatus comprising in combination:

(a) an air generating means including an ejector coupled thereto adaptedto eject a stream of air vertically upward of suflicient velocity tofloat a light weight target thereon,

(b) a target adapted to be floated on said stream which consists of alight weight sphere having a hooking means projecting from its surface,

(0) an objective target for said sphere including means for engagingsaid hooking means of said sphere and for holding said sphere thereon,

(d) and means for manipulating said ejector in a plurality of directionsrelative to said objective target whereby said hooking means may bemanipulated to engage and be held by said objective target.

6. Target apparatus comprising in combination with a target base, afluid ejection duct, means secured to said base for guiding said fluidejection duct in a predetermined lineal path, a reversible motoroperated means for driving said fluid ejection duct in said pathincluding motion first in one direction and then in a reverse directionin an oscillating movement, said duct having an orifice for ejecting astream of fluid upwardly, and a fluid pressure generating meansoperatively coupled to said duct for generating suflicient fluidpressure to cause a stream of air to be ejected through said orifice atsufficient velocity to support a small light weight sphere on saidstream, and a sphere floatable on said stream and retained thereby in afloating condition which sphere is movable thereon with the movement ofsaid duct.

7. Game and amusement apparatus comprising in combination with a lightweight object capable of being maintained in a floating condition on astream of fluid, a first base member, a second base member, a fluidejection means including means for delivering a pressurized fluid as asubstantially vertical stream, capable of floating said object, saidfluid ejection means being movably mounted on said second base member,means for guiding and moving said fluid ejection means in apredetermined path relative said second base member, means for guidingand moving said second base member in a predetermined path relative saidfirst base member whereby the movement of said fluid stream and anobject floated thereon is determined at least in part by the movement ofsaid second base member on said first base member and the movement ofsaid fluid ejection means on said second base member.

8. Game and amusement apparatus comprising in combination with a firstbase member, a second base member rotationally mounted on said firstbase member, a fluid ejection means, said second base member includingguide means for said air ejection means adapted for rotation therewithand for guiding said air ejection means in a substantially horizontalmovement, means for rotating said second base member, means for movingsaid air ejection means along said guide means, fluid pressurizing meansoperatively coupled to said fluid ejection means, an upwardly disposedopening in said air ejection means for ejecting a stream of fluid in asubstantially vertical direction, a light weight object adapted to rideon and be maintained in a floating condition by said stream of fluid inthe air space above said base member and to be movable in a directiondefined by the rotation of said second base member and the movement ofsaid fluid ejection means along said guide means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,055,498 Jacobs Sept. 29, 1936 2,404,652 Plebanek July 23, 19462,726,870 Auger Dec. 13, 1955 2,759,731 Quinn Aug. 21, 1956 2,793,038Wallace May 21, 1957 2,835,495 Lohr May 20, 1958

5. GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) AN AIR GENERATING MEANSINCLUDING AN EJECTOR COUPLED THERETO ADAPTED TO EJECT A STREAM OF AIRVERTICALLY UPWARD OF SUFFICIENT VELOCITY TO FLOAT A LIGHT WEIGHT TARGETTHEREON, (B) A TARGET ADAPTED TO BE FLOATED ON SAID STREAM WHICHCONSISTS OF A LIGHT WEIGHT SPHERE HAVING A HOOKING MEANS PROJECTING FROMITS SURFACE, (C) AN OBJECTIVE TARGET FOR SAID SPHERE INCLUDING MEANS FORENGAGING SAID HOOKING MEANS OF SAID SPHERE AND FOR HOLDING SAID SPHERETHEREON, (D) AND MEANS FOR MANIPULATING SAID EJECTOR IN A PLURALITY OFDIRECTIONS RELATIVE TO SAID OBJECTIVE TARGET WHEREBY SAID HOOKING MEANSMAY BE MANIPULATED TO ENGAGE AND BE HELD BY SAID OBJECTIVE TARGET.